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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Introduce Yourself! -> New to RVing......Towing a vehicle?
Post Info TOPIC: New to RVing......Towing a vehicle?
Toadhaul


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New to RVing......Towing a vehicle?
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We are new to RVing.

Our first thought was that we could just rent a car wherever we go.   BUT on our first real trip last year we got about 900 miles from home and I had to have emergency surgery for a detached retina.   We had to stay at the campground for 2 weeks while I healed up.   Trips to the hospital in a cab was inconvenient so after the surgery we rented a car.   That alone cost us almost $400!   

So now we are going to invest in a tow bar setup for our Windsport 29M / Ford V-10 coach.

BUT:

Which one?   I think there are 3 manufacturers.   ROADMASTER, BLUE OX, & ??

Our Honda H-RV (6-speed manual) only weighs 3000 pounds but the dealer says I should get the 10,000# system.   Why?   Is it that much" better"?

I've towed trailers with light trucks....but this is different.   What do I have to watch out for?

Brake systems seems to be wide open.   Permanent mount or one that sits on the floor?   Pros & cons?

Anyone with experience or stories on this subject (including horror stories) will be appreciated.   I like to be prepared.

Thanks to all,

Mike

 



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bjoyce


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The third manufacturer is Demco. We have experience with both Blue Ox and Roadmaster and can recommend either one. In both cases we got aluminum hitch mounted towbars, for the light weight and these were rated under 10,000 lbs. The 10,000 lbs ones are all steel and overkill for most vehicles. You also want an assisted braking system, of which there are many options. Since this particular dealer is into up selling, I would shop around some more.

The towing lists I have seen only mention the CVT transmission on the H-RV, not the manual transmission.  Are you sure it can be towed 4-down?



-- Edited by bjoyce on Wednesday 1st of February 2017 09:19:43 AM

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Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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Toadhaul


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Thanks Bjoyce,
The base model H-RV is available with a 6-speed manual. I have talked to Honda and they told me exactly what has to be done to allow flat towing. There are 2 fuses that have to be removed and the steering unlocked....etc.
It's going to cost somewhere between $3200 & 4100 for everything....OUCH!
I could have picked up a used system less base plate for 100 bucks but didn't know it's history or what model it was so I passed on it.
Aluminum tow bar sounds like a good way to go. The lighter weight will be easier on my back.
Thanks again for the info.

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Dutch


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Our preference is the ReadyBrute Elite 8,000 lb aluminum tow bar with a built-in auxiliary braking system. We couple ours to a Blue Ox base plate that has easily removable "horns" when not in tow. NSA, the maker of the ReadyBrute, will equip it with arm ends to match any of the popular base plates. The brake actuating system is permanently install in the toad, and hooking it up is as simple as snapping a clip on an eyelet.



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Dutch

34' 2001 GBM Landau Class A

2011 Toyota RAV4 4-down toad
NorCal Dan


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I towed a Jeep Wrangler with our motorhome, had the M&G braking system that worked off the air brakes on the coach. Nice setup, but if I had to do it over again I would use a tow dolly. Does not require any modifications to the vehicle being towed, and they are available with braking and lights. Slightly more work to load/unload the vehicle, but far cheaper than base plate/tow bar/braking system. Not all vehicles are suited for 4-down towing.

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